Nine U.S. Cities to Replicate Providence's AfterZones

Representatives from cities including New Orleans, Nashville, Charlotte and Buffalo learned first-hand about PASA's success at two-day symposium in Providence

PROVIDENCE - The Providence After School Alliance's (PASA) nationally recognized AfterZones have attracted the attention of representatives from nine U.S. cities hoping to replicate the award-winning program. A delegation from New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; Danville, North Carolina; Ashville, North Carolina; Omaha, Nebraska; Buffalo, New York and Woonsocket and Newport Rhode Island took part in a two-day symposium in Providence: Creating Citywide After School Systems for Youth Success.

The two-day symposium hosted by PASA at the Rhode Island Foundation gave participants an opportunity to learn firsthand about the initiative that provides high-quality afterschool programming for thousands of middle school students ranging from sailing, film production and dance to culinary arts and science exploration. The initiative has been highlighted recently in three publications issued by Public/Private Ventures, the RAND Corporation and Harvard Family Research Project.

The training included meetings with staff and community partners as well as tours of middle school AfterZones to learn more about what PASA has done to bring organizations and resources together to create sustainable high-quality after school systems and expanded learning models in schools. Participants included assistant superintendents, executive directors, consultants, foundation members and city government officials.

About PASA
The Providence After School Alliance (PASA) is a partnership between public and non-profit after-school providers spearheaded by Mayor David N. Cicilline and funded through the generous support of The Wallace Foundation, Bank of America, the City of Providence, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the Charles Steward Mott Foundation, the Rhode Island Foundation and other generous sponsors. PASA's mission is to expand and improve after-school opportunities for the youth of Providence by building a system of after-school supports called AfterZones. PASA helps build this infrastructure and provides organizational and financial support for the AfterZones and the providers. This system provides access for all Providence youth to high quality after-school programs and learning opportunities.